THE Scottish government must “Build it like Burnham” to tackle the national housing emergency, according to homelessness charities.

Homeless Network Scotland, a coalition of 40 housing organisations across the country, has long called for at least 15,700 quality, affordable homes to be completed each year to tackle record homelessness that has left more than 10,000 children in temporary accommodation.

That demand has now been renewed after Prime Minister Andy Burnham came to office with commitments not only to end rough sleeping, but to embark on the “biggest council house building programme since the post-war period.”

Welcoming Mr Burnham’s commitments with a challenge to Holyrood leaders, Homeless Network Scotland chief executive Maggie Brunjes said: “Scotland’s stalled, social housing programme means there are nearly 250,000 people on housing waiting lists while councils continue to spend tens of millions of pounds just to keep people in the limbo of temporary accommodation including costly, poor-quality hotels and B&Bs.

“It is time for Scotland to also now Build like Burnham and deliver the 15,693 quality social homes every year of this new parliament that research shows is needed to meet the scale of the challenge.

“If Andy Burnham’s investment in housing leads to more Barnett funding for Holyrood then the Scottish government must also commit to putting every penny of that towards the existing social housing budget and move towards the £8.8 billion that sector leaders are clear is needed to meet the level of homebuilding required.

“The housing emergency requires an emergency response but far too much public money continues to be spent on temporary accommodation and responding to crisis after it has already happened.

“Homelessness is not inevitable. We know what works and this is now a critical moment for ministers in Holyrood to scale up on their ambitions and double down on delivery.”

A Scottish government spokesperson insisted it was “continuing to make strong progress on affordable housing,” adding: “We remain committed to our target of delivering 110,000 affordable homes by 2032.

“Since 2007 we have delivered well over 100,000 affordable homes for social rent, including tens of thousands of new council homes. 

“We are providing record investment over the next four years to support tens of thousands more affordable homes, giving thousands of children a warm, safe place to live.”